When consumers were asked about the three GMO label statements mandated by the Vermont law, Act 120, (“partially produced with genetic engineering,” “may be produced with genetic engineering,” and “produced with genetic engineering”) the survey showed that on-pack labeling misled substantial percentages of consumers to wrongly perceive the labeled product as less safe, less healthful, less nutritious, and worse for the environment. The Vermont label requirements are so disparaging to consumer perceptions of products that an average of 73% of consumers indicated they would be less likely to buy foods bearing the required on-pack GMO label.

The large consumer survey was conducted from Jun 13-21, 2016 by the MSR Group and sponsored by a group of food and agriculture trade associations, including the American Soybean Association, Corn Refiners Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Grain and Feed Association, and SNAC International. The five food labels tested were common food label statements related to trans-fat, allergens, gluten, organic, and GMOs.

28% of consumers to incorrectly perceive the food to be “less healthful.”

22% of consumers to incorrectly perceive the food to be “less nutritious.”

20% of consumers to incorrectly perceive the food to be “worse for the environment.”

73% of consumers to be less likely to buy the food.

Consumer perceptions varied significantly by age group. Using the Vermont law’s “produced with genetic engineering” label option to illustrate, consumer perception that the labeled product is –

“less safe” ranged from 48% (18-34 years old) to 27% (35-44 years old).

“less nutritious” ranged from 45% (18-24 years old) to 7% (65+ years old).

“less healthful” ranged from 41% (18-24 years old) to 18% (65+ years old).

“worse for the environment” ranged from 32% (25-34 years old) to 13% (55+ years old).

The associations that commissioned the large consumer perception survey issued the following joint statement:

“The survey demonstrates that the Vermont on-pack GMO labeling law that is effectively setting GMO labeling policy for interstate commerce is misleading to consumers and powerfully disparaging of a safe, environmentally appropriate technology. The Roberts Stabenow compromise bill now pending in the U.S. Senate would preempt the inappropriate Vermont GMO labeling law and permit GMO disclosure without the on-pack labeling that is so misleading and disparaging to consumers.

“With shocking clarity, the survey results demonstrate why food companies would be pressured to switch to non-GMO ingredients to avoid the requirement of Vermont’s on-pack GMO label and potential conflicting multi-state labeling requirements. Switching away from GMO ingredients is the key assumption of a recent economic analysis that concluded the Vermont on-pack GMO label law would increase food costs for the average American household by approximately $1,050 annually. The Roberts Stabenow bill would avoid the Vermont GMO labeling law’s disparagement of biotechnology and attendant steep increase in consumer food prices.

“While the survey did not test specific GMO disclosure options under the Roberts Stabenow bill, that legislation would authorize disclosure through multiple means, including an internet link that would allow food companies to include informative statements that educate, rather than mislead, consumers. Since the Roberts Stabenow compromise is the only viable legislative option to preempt the Vermont GMO labeling law, the survey results strongly suggest support for the Roberts Stabenow compromise.”

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The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, ethanol, starch, bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.